(NaturalNews) The true cost of fossil fuel reaches far beyond what is paid at the gas pump -- the expense of waging war to protect oil interests, governmental corruption, global warming and environmental destruction all are part of the equation. And don't forget about the health consequences as well. Fortunately, a solution to these troubles might be just around the corner. A team of researchers in the UK have discovered a way to extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air, converting it into viable, clean burning petrol. No, this isn't science fiction -- it's technology that's on the verge of becoming mainstream within a few, short years.

The problem with old school gasoline

The fossil fuel industry is rife with corruption, greed and harm. Not only does gasoline pollute the environment, cause ill health and increase global warming, it also contributes to poverty. Consider the cost of modern warfare -- billions of dollars spent to protect oil 'rights.' No wonder the U.S. is on the brink of economic collapse. In places like Nigeria, oil companies destroy the local environment and economy in their quest for 'black gold.' Quaker Earth Care paints a bleak picture of this current state of affairs:

"To discover and recover oil, roads are slashed through rain forests, drilling sites contaminate fresh water and soil, leaky pipelines spill millions of gallons of crude oil on wildlife and pristine tundra, and indigenous people are pushed to the brink of extinction. The temporary influx of cash upsets economies, corrupts governments, and concentrates wealth among a few. Oil refineries pollute the air, soil, and water of the impoverished communities that surround them."

If the integrity of a government is ever called into question regarding fossil fuels, simply take a look at the corruption surrounding the invasion of Iraq, the UNOCAL pipeline in Burma which was built with slave labor or the intrigue behind the Enron scandal.

Health-wise, petrol is a nightmare. Burning fossil fuels pollutes the air to such an extent that asthma rates have skyrocketed among children and the elderly. Birth defects and cancer are also on the rise due to a poisoned environment.

Moving toward a sane solution

Even with the current quagmire, a glimmer of hope is on the horizon. A small British company has produced "petrol from air" by extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and, along with water vapor, turned it into liquid fuel. This very well may be the solution to the worldwide energy crisis, rampant oil wars and environmental destruction. A tall order certainly, but the future looks promising. The team believes that if they can secure funding, commercial production of this ingenious fuel could begin as early as 2014. At the moment, the process still requires electricity from the national grid, but the company believes that a transition to renewable sources such as wind farms or tidal barrages is possible. One of the more alluring aspects of this technology is that nations around the world would be able to manufacture their own 'green' petrol -- severing ties to outside sources of fuel and potentially revolutionizing their economies.

As observed by Sandra Lewis and Kim Carlyle of Quaker Earth Care:

"The true costs of fossil fuels are staggering and cannot be measured in dollars. The administration's proposals to expand fossil fuel production and increase our dependence on them are politically corrupt, ecologically and economically dangerous, and morally bankrupt."

Thankfully, an innovative and intelligent solution may be on the way.

Sources for this article include:

"Exclusive: Pioneering scientists turn fresh air into petrol in massive boost in fight against energy crisis" Steve Connor, The Independent, October 29, 2012. Retrieved on October 31, 2012 from: http://www.independent.co.uk

"The Dark Side of Our Dependence on Fossil Fuels: Time for Quakers to Take a Stand" Sandra Lewis and Kim Carlyle, Quaker Earth Watch, March/April 2002. Retrieved on October 31, 2012 from: http://www.quakerearthcare.org

"A technology that goes one better than carbon capture could be crucial in fighting climate change" Steve Conner, The Independent, October 19, 2012. Retrieved on October 31, 2012 from: http://www.independent.co.uk

About the author:Carolanne believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, wellness coach and natural foods chef, she has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of green living for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people who share a similar vision.